Du Xian Bridge

　　   Du Xian Bridge, also known as the "Zigzag Bridge," is a connected scenic spot built in 1999 alongside the Xian'ge Platform. It is a newly developed attraction inspired by the fascinating legend of the "Nine-Twist Pearl."

　　   The story goes: When Confucius led his disciples to the State of Chen, before entering the capital city, they became extremely thirsty and were looking for water. Upon arriving at a village, they met two mulberry-picking girls at the entrance. The shorter girl glanced at them and said, "The southern branches are graceful, the northern ones long," while the taller girl also looked at Confucius and said, "The Master will run out of food in Chen." Confucius was puzzled by their words but felt they were ominous. Before he could ask for an explanation, the shorter girl added, "You can't thread the nine-twist pearl," and the taller girl giggled, "Then come ask the mulberry-picking maidens." Feeling thoroughly disheartened, Confucius decided not to ask for water and immediately ordered Zilu to hurry the carriage away.

　　   Shortly after arriving in the capital of Chen, they indeed ran out of food. Remembering the encounter with the two mulberry-picking girls before entering the city, Confucius sent Zilu to find them.

　　   When they reached the place and found the house, an elderly woman (the girls’ mother) opened the door to greet Zilu. After Zilu explained their mission, the old woman said, "My daughters are not at home." After offering him a seat, she went inside and brought out a watermelon for Zilu to eat and quench his thirst. Seeing the watermelon, Zilu was delighted and suddenly slapped his forehead, exclaiming, "You're not really asking me to eat the melon, but hinting that the answer (or 'benevolence') is inside!" The old woman laughed upon hearing this, realizing her riddle had been solved, and then called her two daughters out. Zilu said to the girls, "My master and disciples have had no food for nearly seven days. My teacher has sent me to ask you noble ladies where we can borrow some grain." The taller girl replied, "We know, we know, but you must first thread a silk line through this 'nine-twist pearl' before we can tell you." The shorter girl then placed a long, thin silk thread and a nine-twist pearl in front of Zilu. Facing the long, coiled thread and the twisted pearl, Zilu was stumped and at a complete loss. He shook his head, his face red with embarrassment, feeling deeply ashamed. He thought to himself, "I, a proud disciple of Confucius, am actually stumped by two young girls." Observing Zilu’s helpless and pitiful state, the old woman quietly whispered in his ear, "Coat the silk thread with honey, tie an ant to it, burn it slightly, let the smoke drive the ant through, and it will thread the pearl." Zilu followed her advice and managed to thread the "nine-twist pearl." The taller girl then told Zilu which household had grain and how to get there, so he hurried off. The zigzag "Du Xian Bridge" is a connected scenic spot at the Xian'ge Platform, inspired by the legend of the nine-twist pearl.

　　   Source: Huaiyang Government Website